Leader Guide
Video Leader Guide
Select a video to have playing as children enter the Large Group room. Videos are under Resources on the top menu bar.
Have Small Group leaders greet the children as they enter the Large Group room and engage them in a game or conversation until time for Large Group to begin.
Welcome (2 minutes)
Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Gideon.” For those of you who were here last time, why did the Israelites need God’s help so badly? Their enemies took all of their crops, food, and animals. Their armies outnumbered Israel’s army.
Why was Gideon such an unlikely choice to be the leader of Israel’s army? He was not confident in himself. He was the youngest in his family, and from the smallest tribe of Israel.
Gideon was about to find out that with God he could do great things. And with God, we can do great things, too! Let’s all stand and sing The Salvation Poem. As we sing, let’s thank God for His Son, Jesus, who saved us from our sins and gives us His power to do great things!
Play Video 7: (Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)
The Salvation Poem
SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)
Raise your hand if you would like to do great things in your life!
The good news is that we can do great things with God’s help! That’s why our SuperTruth is, “With God I can do great things.”
Let’s have everyone in first, second and third grade say it. “With God I can do great things.”
Now let’s have all the older children say it. “With God I can do great things.”
One moment Gideon was hiding and threshing wheat to survive, the next moment he was called to do great things by the Angel of the Lord! God has great things for us to do, and we can accomplish them through Christ, who strengthens us! Now, let’s all say the SuperTruth together in boldness and confidence because God is with us! “With God I can do great things.”
Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)
If most or all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.
Now, for those who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we will watch a short version of the video to see how Gideon changed from a coward into a bold leader. If you’ve already seen the video, watch for the answers to two bonus questions we will ask in Small Group: 1. After the Israelites defeated their enemies, what did they want Gideon to do? 2. What did Gideon answer them?
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
Superbook takes Joy, Chris and Gizmo back in time to meet Gideon—an unlikely hero hiding from enemies who have taken over Israel. The Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, and he is transformed from a coward into a bold leader. Gideon faithfully follows God’s instructions, even when others doubt his wisdom. The children discover how to find courage to face any challenge.
Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; freeze or turn off video after children repeat verse.
SuperVerse Graphic 3
SuperVerse (2 minutes)
Our SuperVerse, Philippians 4:13, says,
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Let’s say that together.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Let me see if I can remember it without looking. I can do SOME things through Christ who strengthens me. Is that right? No!
Oh, I remember now! It says, I can do MOST things through Christ who strengthens me. Right? No!
Then what does it say?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Can we do all things by ourselves? No, through Christ.
That’s right, only though Christ. What does He give us? Strength!
I need His strength every day; how about you?
When trials, temptations and challenges come our way, we can overcome them all by Jesus’ strength.
We have just begun to learn the verse, but let’s close our eyes and see how much of it we can say without looking.
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.
Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)
Let’s watch our Signposts Video to see how the events in the life of Gideon were Signposts to the life of Christ while He was on the earth.
Play Video 6: Signposts (4.5 minutes)
Signposts Video
Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)
Let’s pray before we move to our Small Groups to continue learning about Gideon and how he points to Christ.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for empowering us to do great things. Just like with Gideon, You are with us and there is nothing we can’t accomplish with Your help! In Your name, Amen.
Today in Small Group, we will play a game called “Bundle Bat Baseball Review.” Let’s go and see what it's all about!
Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.